System and method for regulating data traffic in a network

A system for regulating flow of data packets in a network, wherein the network comprises at least one VLAN, at least one VFI, and a data switching system, the system comprising:

• a data identifier for identifying the type of data packet, wherein the type of data packet is at least one of unicast, multicast and broadcast;
• a configuration module for configuring a data packet flow policy criteria for each VLAN;
• a calculator for determining the rate of flow of data packets sent between the VLAN and the data switching system based on a number of active virtual circuits (VCs) for the VLAN, where in the number of active VCs vary dynamically, rate of the flow based on replication of packets on the determined number of active VCs;
• and
• a data packet flow regulator for regulating the packet flow associated with the VLAN according to policy criteria.

A method comprising:

• receiving one or more input packets from a virtual local area network (VLAN);
• determining a data suppression level for the VLAN;
• determining a number of active virtual circuits (VCs) for the VLAN, wherein the number of active VCs vary dynamically;
• determining a data packet flow rate based on replication of the one or more input packets on the determined number of active VCs;
• determining if the data packet flow rate is higher than the data suppression level;
• and
• suppressing sending of at least a portion of the one or more input packets on the active virtual circuits if the data packet flow rate is higher than the data suppression level.

An apparatus comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• logic encoded in one or more computer readable mediums for execution by the one or more processors and when executed operable to:
• receive one or more input packets from a virtual local area network (VLAN);
• determine a data suppression level for the VLAN;
• determine a number of active virtual circuits (VCs) for the VLAN, wherein the number of active VCs vary dynamically;
• determine a data packet flow rate based on replication of the one or more input packets on the determined number of active VCs;
• determine if the data packet flow rate is higher than the data suppression level;
• and
• suppress sending of at least a portion of the one or more input packets on the active virtual circuits if the data packet flow rate is higher than the data suppression level.